Master mixologist Dave Palethorpe runs this super cool cocktail lounge, tucked away in one of the city's quieter neighbourhoods. The Englishman's whacky imagination and mischievous sense of humour has produced an astonishing menu of drinks, concoctions like "Black Pepper and Basil" â" ripped basil, freshly squeezed lemon juice and a touch of black peppers lengthened with Tanqueray gin and a slash of soda sprayed with citrus zests. He can also whip up a "Hugo-A-Go-Go", a combination of Pampero rum, Liquor 43, lime and lemon juice and fresh ginger dry shaken and showered with a lemon zest. Still not convinced? Then ask for a sublime "Apple and Eve". This is his version of the Appletini â" Granny Smiths muddles with Bison Grass vodka balanced with apple infused sugar. In all there are 55 different cocktails to choose from complemented by a range of spirits, wines and champagnes. But if you really want something different, order "Breakfast at Trevor's". This is a novel way to make a shot and features Mozart dark chocolate, Baileys and Grand Marnier. Unbelievable!
Recommended for Bairro Alto/Principe Real's Best Bars because: The award-winning cocktail combinations are quite simply the best in Lisbon, possibly even Portugal!
Paul's expert tip: Sit at the bar and chat with the bartender. You'll be surprised and inspired.
This is one of the most unusual bars in the city. With an interior decorated with an astonishing variety of collectibles, curious and bric-a-brac, the "Chinese pavilion" resembles a museum, a fact that makes a night here totally unique and wonderfully absorbing. The pub's warren of rooms and salons are lined with floor-to-ceiling glass display cabinets neatly crammed with antique toys, ceramic Toby jugs, Flamenco fans, all manner of mantle clocks, china bulls and artists' palettes. The overall theme, however, is military. Hanging in formation above the bar are model biplanes, jets and WWII bombers. Rows of miniature battleships line shelves above officers' caps and sheathed daggers pinned to the walls. And guarding all this are thousands of carefully painted lead soldiers â" infantry and cavalry â" all standing to attention. There's a pool hall located at the rear of the premises, but players often find themselves in a bemused state of distraction such is the allure of the contents in this fascinating watering hole.
Recommended for Bairro Alto/Principe Real's Best Bars because: A totally unique slice of Lisbon nightlife. Nothing else comes close in terms of decor, and exhibits.
Paul's expert tip: The doors open around 6pm, a great time to order tea, coffee or a pre-dinner drink. Come back later for long drinks.
Come here twice in the same month and the decor's likely to have changed. One night giant film posters might be pasted across the room publicising Hollywood B movies with a femme fatale theme, pulp popcorn classics like 'Girls on the Loose' and 'Attack of the 50ft Woman', the next week, kid's cartoon characters or Lisbon monuments. It's that kinda place. This is one of Bairro Alto's most celebrated watering holes. Besides the whacky decoration, another lure is the soundtrack, anything from fado to disco. The bar is known for its head-spinning selection of spirits, and the shots here are legendary. But it's also a place to recline on comfy sofas in good company â" the music is never loud enough to drown out conversation.
Recommended for Bairro Alto/Principe Real's Best Bars because: Boho at its most conducive â" a people-watching den with an arty atmosphere.
Paul's expert tip: Pop in on a Friday or Saturday. The weekends are always busy, even in winter, and is often when the best music is played.
The premises of this wine bar used to house a pharmacy, and the former dispensary has been converted into one of the city's most eye-catching and alluring nightspots. The original glass cabinets have been left in place and now display bottles of wine from across Portugal In fact, there are over 200 different wines to choose from including celebrated labels such as Passadouro Reserva from the Douro, in northern Portugal. Wine can be ordered by the bottle or glass and the menu also lists a range of petiscos, snacks that includes hams, cheeses and other snacks. The new proprietors made sure the bar exuded the elegant look of the pharmacy in its heyday so refurbished the interior to maintain the vintage decor. But don't worry when you see the lights change colour. You're not drunk! Instead, the cabinets have been fitted with a fade in-fade out lighting system of green, amber and red.
Recommended for Bairro Alto/Principe Real's Best Bars because: A perfect example of how a bit of imagination can inject new life into an abandoned building.
Paul's expert tip: This place is bigger than it seems. Check out their rather exotic Tea Salon next door.
Sited on one of the bairro's busiest junctions, the one-room "club" lures a slightly less frivolous crowd who appreciate the pub atmosphere and a chill-out soundtrack that's never louder than the conversation. This bar has been pulling them in for years and is a regular haunt for locals, especially at weekends. Word of mouth and a busy social media network has also lured out-of-towners and young clubbers who like to commence a night out by sinking a few here in relative calm (and may even be lucky enough to bag a prized chair at one of the tables) before the midnight crowd turn up. After that, it's standing room only.
Recommended for Bairro Alto/Principe Real's Best Bars because: A landmark nightspot that's managed to defy fickle fashion and music trends and economic downturns, Clube da Esquina remains a "tick the box" venue.
Paul's expert tip: Order the special, one of their subliminal gin and tonics.
Hugely popular with budget travellers staying at the neighbouring hostel, this informal jazz-rock bar buzzes with bonhomie and a jolly good vibe. Local musicians queue up to play here and the venue attracts a loyal clientele: the hostel provides an international audience. Shabby chic in appearance, this bar is nevertheless one of the liveliest in the neighbourhood! Early evening is the best time to turn up if you're after a quiet drink before dinner. The place is decked out with armchairs, sofas and plump beanbags and perfect to chill out in over an aperitif. After hours, however, it's often standing room only but no worries; you can still hear the music.
Recommended for Bairro Alto/Principe Real's Best Bars because: Alface Hall is a great place to hang out and meet city residents and world-weary tourists, the common dominator being live music and cheap(ish) drinks.
Paul's expert tip: The set list includes earthy blues, played out during the first part of the week. Jazz-rock aficionados should turn up during weekends.
Everybody knows Portas Largas â" the "Large Doors". This is one of Bairro Alto's most celebrated bars, a magnet for a predominantly young, gay-friendly crowd from all over the world. Its origins as a fado house are still apparent, with an azulejo (tile) panel depicting a singer and musician decorating one end of the bar. Battered old furniture and a slightly scruffy ambiance only add to the building's wonderfully ad hoc appeal. This place positively heaves during the summer months and ordering one of the famous caipirinha or mojito cocktails over the counter can be challenge. Once served, it's best to escape the sweaty interior and join the throng outside on Rua da Atalaia. The vibe is overwhelmingly friendly and laid back, more so at night when there's usually an African or Brazilian combo providing a live, hip-swaying soundtrack.
Recommended for Bairro Alto/Principe Real's Best Bars because: A great Bairro Alto institution, Portas Largas is the neighbourhood's nightlife focus: many pub crawls begin here, and often end here, too.
Paul's expert tip: Arrive around 8pm on weekends for a spot of peace and quiet because by midnight the place is heaving.
A quirky boho vibe permeates this long established drinking den, which is also known locally as Agito. Decorated throughout with jumble sale kitsch, all mismatched furniture, flea-market décor and the odd antique, the bar welcomes an eclectic crowd seeking respite from one of Bairro Alto's busiest streets. Loucas & Sonhadores is deceptively spacious. The bar area leads through to a second salon where food is served in eccentric and sociable living room surroundings. The venue's name translates as 'Fools and Dreamers', a nod perhaps to the type of clientele that frequents the bar - artists, writers, musicians, and lots of wannabe students. For anyone else, this is a novel place to chill out in great company, especially if you like good old table wine: it's just 1 a glass!
Recommended for Bairro Alto/Principe Real's Best Bars because: Loucos & Sonhadores attracts a local bohemian crowd, a refreshing alternative from some of the more tourist orientated bars in the vicinity.
Paul's expert tip: Note that while it's supposed to be banned, smoking is tolerated here.
Translated to English, capela means "chapel" and indeed, this bar occupies a site that was once a place of worship. Today it's still drawing the faithful after a 1998 conversion to a late night music venue. Manager Pedro Silva hangs out with some of Portugal's top DJs who provide Capela with its cool clubby vibe (by the way, they spin vinyl). The funky electronica is never too loud as to drown out conversation, which makes Capela a great choice for catching up with friends mid-evening over inexpensive drinks. The baristas mix a pretty good cocktail, and there's a good gin selection.
Recommended for Bairro Alto/Principe Real's Best Bars because: A legendary Bairro Alto bar, Capela remains a local favourite and is a big hit with those who like a beer over a decent soundtrack.
Paul's expert tip: If you've a track in mind, ask the DJ if they can play it. These guys truly know their music.
Located on a quiet side street and set away from Principe Real's busy hub is Foxtrot. This place has been around for 40-odd years and has achieved a revered status with locals. Styled as an English pub but recognized chiefly for its inventive cocktail menu, Foxtrot exudes a charming Art Deco vibe, all dark wood interior, quirky decoration, huge mirrors and warm lighting. Thirst-quenching Dutch, Portuguese, German and Belgium beers are listed, but it's the cocktails that excite. Their names give a clue as to the pub's offbeat character: Good Night Nurse, Sorry, It's Not Tea, and one of their signature drinks: Jardim do Príncipe Real - gin and basil served in a flowerpot, yes, a flowerpot! Hugo the barman is Foxtrot's cocktail king, but all the baristas are adept at creating some truly magical drinks. The pub is noted for its bife à Foxtrot - tender beef in mushroom sauce, served with salad or French fries, which is best sampled at a table on the rear terrace.
Recommended for Bairro Alto/Principe Real's Best Bars because: Foxtrot's appeal lies in its authentic atmosphere and the genuine hospitality afforded customers by the cheerful Portuguese staff.
Paul's expert tip: Staff are happy to custom create a cocktail to your own recipe.